Food-Related Time Use: Changes and Demographic Differences

Tobenna D. Anekwe and Eliana Zeballos

No 301136, Economic Information Bulletin from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Food-related time use can influence dietary choices and, in turn, influence health outcomes. Thus, tracking changes in food-related time use is key for understanding consumer decisions that affect diet. This report uses data from the 2004-17 American Time Use Survey (ATUS) to present an overview of food-related time-use patterns over time both for the U.S. population aged 15 years and older and for U.S. subgroups that are defined by educational attainment, household type (singles versus couples), and other demographic factors. Data from the supplemental Eating and Health Module (conducted annually during 2014-16 for a subset of the ATUS sample) are analyzed to provide time-use estimates for subgroups defined by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation, obesity, and food hardship. On an average day in 2014-17, Americans spent 64.0 minutes on eating and drinking as a “primary,” or main, activity, down 4.5 percent from 67.0 minutes in 2004-07. On an average day in 2014-17— counting only those who performed the activity—Americans spent 51.4 minutes on food preparation, 34.1 minutes on food-related cleanup, and 46.0 minutes on grocery shopping.

Keywords: Agricultural and Food Policy; Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety; Food Security and Poverty; Health Economics and Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 69
Date: 2019-11-20
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uersib:301136

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.301136

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